Construction toy



Aug. 25, 1931. Q GlLBERT 1,820,661

CONSTRUCTION TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June '7, 1927 Aug.25, 1931. I A. c. GILBERT 1,820,661

CONSTRUCTION TOY I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1927 Aug. 25, 1931. A. c. GILBERT CONSTRUCTION TOY Filed June '7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 and to other toy construction elements in va- Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STAT Ej' S' PATENT. VO'FFJICE ALFRED c. GILBERT, or namnnn, oonnno rrcur, AssIeNOB. BY mnsimassreivmnn'rs, To run A. c. GILBERT COMPANY, or ew HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A conroaa'rron or MARYLAND Application med June-7, 1927 Serial no. 197,141. 7

plates, perforated disks and flanged rings,

each having perforations disposed] therein to receive securing means," wherebythese parts may be detachably assembled together rious relations to form a Variety-of structural toy models. 1

i The principalobje ct of this invention is to provide a construction element susceptible of a varietyof uses, whereby the number of different parts'in a/toy of th s type w ll be maintained at aminimum.

Another object of this invention is to provide a number of such structural elements which may be secured togetherin various relations to form different toy structures or units thereof. i

Still another object of this invention is to provide a flanged disk, having in its structure .a plurality of structural elements each. of which is adapted for use in various relations with one or more of the others, to form various toy structures or units thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cylindrical structure, generally tubular in form, one end of which is closed by a built up head portion, said structure havingQas; parts thereof construction toy elerhentsmh-ich are adapted for use in various relations w th other toy. elements to produce other and differently formed structures.

.. To these and other ends, the invention con-.

sists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. j v

In the accompanying drawings:

, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toy steam engine in the structure of which are my elements and'units embodying the features of my invention; i

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; i Fig. 3.is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the upper. part of this toy, taken on line H of i ing 23 is provided with a shoulder 24, which Fig. 2;

v Fig. 5 is a partial side view of another toy device illustrating anotheruse for'certa'in of my invention,

'this invention.

. cons'rnuc'rrqnz tro i the toy elements embodyingthe features of my invention; V Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig-i. 7, 8 and 9 are perspective detail views of toy elements embodying the-features of and which are adapted for use .in forming various toys by assembling fth'e's'alne to other toy elements in'various relations; L Fig. 10 is a partialviewof part of another toy, in which an element of my inventionxis used combinationwith other toy elements,

and

' Fig. '11 is a detail view of altoy used in combination With-the toy'elemcnts of Thetoy steam engine illustrated in lto 4 inclusive, and-the toys partiallyshown in" Figs. 5, 6 and 10, have included in their structure toy elements which embody the fea tures of my invention. In the steam engine of Figs. 1 m4. inclusive, aboiler 10 is in the form of a cylindrical member'having one end closed by an assembly ofaring 11, having a flange 12, and aperforated disk 13, the body portion of the cylindrical member being composed of a variety of curved plates14. The flang'ering 11 is also used in .this model as a fly wheel,-the spokes of which are produced I a hub therefor in the form of a hushed disk-17,

'provided with vperforations 18, which are disposed about the same adjacent the periphcry 1 thereof. 1 v

' same, adjacent the periphery thereof, is secured to the disk 13 with the bushing 23 extending downwardly therefrom to form' a part of a pivotal support therefor. The bushis ada ted to rest upon the upper flat surface 0' a toy element ormast'step25, the re-' by "the use of strips 15, havingequally spaced apart perforations 16 therein, an

duced end 26 of the bushing being rotatably received in an opening 27 therein. In Fig. 10, the disk 13 is used to support toy elements or flanged strips 28, to form a part of a toy such as a windmill. A hushed disk 17 similar to the one-used in the steam e ine of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, is used as the hu memberfor this toy unit.

The ring 11 is provided with ually spaced apart perforations 29, dispose in a circular series adjacent its inner peripheral spacing between'the perforations 29 and thee go 30 of the ring 11. The perforations 29 and 32 in the ring and flan e respectively, 'aredn'alignment radially wit res ct to the axiszofthe ring. The ring 11 an flange 12 are, in this instance, formed integrally from one piece of flat material. A belt groove 34 is produced in the periphery of the flanged ring 11 during the formation thereof. The P belt groove 34 is, in this instance, disposed closely; adjacent the periphery of the ring 11, .and in the flange ed e ad acent the ring.

The belt groove 34 is orme .by bending the material of this element over and; nwardly upon the ring 11, and then returningitoutwardly and merging it into the flange 12.

The-disk 13 is provided with a circular series of equally spaced apart perforations 35, each of which isspaced from the peripher'y of the disk substantially an amount equal to or a multiple of the s acmgbetween perfforations in other toy e ements,,and mtlns instance, an amount equal to the spacirig of the perforations 29 from the edge 30 o the ring 11. The perforations 35'are disposed. in the disk 13, so as to be in alignment radially with the perforations 29 in the ring 11. Each of the perforations 35 is one of a series of i'radially extending and aligned perforations,

consisting, in this instance, of acircular series of elongated openings 36, a circular series of perforations 37, and a perforation 38. The perforations 35, 36 and 37 are spaced apart radially an amount substantially equal v to or a multiple of the spacing between perforations in other toy elements, such as the 7 strips 15 or 31, or the flanged strips 28. The

vperforation 38 is disposed substantially at thecenter of disk 13 and is of a diameter of s'uficient size to receive the bushings ofthe' :bushed disks 17 and 21. The circular series of perforations 37 are so arranged that they will correspond with the perforations 18 and 22 respectively of these bushed disks.

The curved plate 14 is produced from a flat piece of, material, which is perforated as desired and then curved in a suitable die I .and adjacent each of the curved edges 39 and 39, a circular 'erforation is provided which is disposed in alignment with the perforation 42 ,of the series adjacent each of the straight edges. The peripheral spacing between the perforation 42 and the perforation 50 is substantiall equal to the peripheral spacing of the per orations32 of the flange 12. The mast step 25 is produced from a strip of sheet metal, and comprises a flat top portion 43.ha:vin' leg portions 44 at each end thereof and d isposed substantially at right an Ice thereto. Extending outwardly from an at substantially right angles to each of the leg portions 44 is a foot portion 45. A perforatlon 46 is provided in each of the foot ortions 45, and a perforation 47 is provided in each'ofthe leg portions 44. The perforation 27, disposed in the top portion 43 is of a diameterof suflicient size to receive the reduced end 26 of the bushing 23, associated with the disk 21. The perforations 46'are' spaced apart an amount which is a multiple of the'spacing between perforations in other toy elements, such as those in the base plate 48. A cylindrical member simulating a boiler in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, is made up of a set or plurality, in this instance four, of plates 14, which are overlapped at the straight edges thereof, being secured together by means of bolts 49 which pass through the corresponding perforations 42. This set of plates is secured to another set of plates by overlapping the curved ends of each set, and securing thenrtogether'by means of bolts 49, which pass through corresponding perforations42 and 50in the 'lates of each set. The upper curved ends 0 the upper' set of plates is embraced by the flange 12, depending from the ring 11, and are secured thereto by meansof bolts 49, which pass through the perforations 42 and 50 of the plates and corresponding perforations 32 of the flange 12. The upper end of the cylindrical or boiler shaped toy unit is covered partially by the ring 11, and more completely by the disk 13, which is disposed within :the central opening of the ring, and embraced by the internal peripheral edge 30 thereof, whereby the disk 13 is flush with the ring 11. The disk 13 is secured to the ring 11 by means of the strips 31, and bolts 49., which O etib s in I this strih a rheto1fi5 5 The ili'dtbi 55 may be dr'ivi'ngly' eoiiiiectedto the toy uhi't r fly Wheel model mez'tn's of the'helt 56, Whieh rides in the groove I 34 and oy ei it suitable pulley 57 se ured t0 the netjo'i' 'd-ifi'iiltur'e shaft 58. A similar use 01 the flange rih'g 11 is shown in Figs. (3165, refer ed t e above;

' In this inst-aiice the to y 'ilnit:siliih letihg m dificationand within the spirit femti'ons in pthe'r elemjeiits of flietoy,

be understood that the sa ine is bull ring for use m {i tofy such as aswingabl'e bocm hoist or the like-gs rptatable by means of the belt 59 which ,ii des ingthe groo v 34 aiid over a pulley 60 whi'eh is rotatable by means of a crank 61. The toy l 'itp bull i'ihg is in of a fiahged di'sk, canvases of the which ()flie'i' toy elenieiits mgiy he rezidily asseeiaited 01- secItii-ed by iiiei ns' 'f belts or other my el'einehts, siich as angle pieces62 hushed disks 2 1 aml 'miist steps 25, Which may be secured to the disk p'o'rtieii 13" by frieziiis 6f bolts 49 passin vided in eacll efllfi ellt; I e x In the my ilhistfzjte'd in Figs. 1 to" i iii-- clusiveg :1 cylindrical iljiiibei" e1 heilei is secured 1:0 the" base plat 43133 the use of angle pieces 62 :iiid hdlts 49, whicl p-sss through cet'i'espeh-dihg bp'e gs i fiihoth the c'qrre'spendiii'g fiei"fe1a;tidiis, i both the ahgle ie'e'e and the base plate; efieiiie-Work of the motel is pi'evidedfwitli feot 'iieees" (53 eachef which is piievided "1th ah dpefiing in the form of a; slotfid; ,"Ihe openings 64 are each" sp'sic'e'd from thefether' an amount equalto' or a multiple of the staging of fier such 65 11pm which as the base plate 48 and strips the moteris' mounted.-

While 111m shewii' and described a pre, ferreder'nhodiment 0% my i'nvei itidff, it will i not tohelilm ited; to the detail-Is showii" but is capable of vzfi'i-ztti'on Whifcli will lie 01: the inventior'i" and the scope of the appended claims.

What I elaini is: 1. A toy unit, composed of a phli'al'ity of toy elements, one of said elements comprising a rin'ghaving a flang Migl'e from-am} abouflthe-periphery thereof,

in the opening and a; disk disposedi with formed hy the" 'mfie ihal periphery of said riiig to"- substantially close-thesame.

2". ln eqtoy ilriia} ring-shaped and disk; said d l. a. I 1 opening fefmed' by the 'iiitemelperiphery of [mgsubst ntially at right exte'i'iiitl pilphi'ydf sai h tving disk securedtheret the internzil pe 'ipliei and a cylih hri( elly-sha exterlial fieii'i'pheiy' (if sziidl 1 eonipr slhg a p flusli i'iththe upper 1 I, -a cylindr ally-shaped menIher es iii i i'n g, the external edge qf sa l the edge vaboutthe epenihg' in S' ring, saiddisk arid said ring beiiig dispt lsed e extehdih'g' at an;

being disposed in the said rihg to s lbstahtially cl'es'e said epe aiid withits iup'per v with the u per si'irfziee Of said i-mg'; I 3; 1 h ,a, toy unit, "a fing -ihfiped having a disk secured thereto, 5 fi e l l ld bf S id/ sp? we I fidwe'eht to the internal peripheral edge 6f said 1 i'ng.. 1

I 7 i6 se Closely secured to sa d flahgc iii such jniaiiiieias to forni egcylinder, r toyiuiit; I hating 1. disk eem-ta theietn with: I the fipheraledg'e fof Srii disk disposed iidj tethe internal pefipheifliledgee wind ii eylindiieally shziped ii ll bllf gles fiflom (we (1 mg: I i0 fa ring-shiiiieid [e 111 121] my unit; x

ihieml sage of m le ing substantially at ion substantially at right angles frofri' tliee'it'eii In a lt0yj1l'1it al ing sh n-"d haying e disk seemell; peripheral, edge of seid (li'sk' dis bsed adja'celit thev intefrrelperiph'eml dge; of

11. In a construction toy, a wheel-like element formed of sheet material and comprising a flat annular portion having its peripheral edge turned over upon itself in engage- 6 ment therewith and extending radially inwardly thereover to provide a double thickness of material thereat, and then bent upon a curve to form a belt groove closely adjacent said edge, said edge being extended axially l beyond said belt groove and away from said disk portion to form an axially directed flange portion, said flange having perforations therein for the attachment of other parts. 12. In a toy unit, a ringshaped element and a fiat disk, said disk being disposed in and substantially filling the opening formed by the internal periphery of said ring and having a series of radially disposed and spaced apart perforations therein, said ring-shaped elcment having a perforation therein in radial alignment with the perforations in said disk. 13. In a toy unit, a ring-shaped elementand a flat disk, said disk being disposed in and substantially filling the opening formed by the internal peripheryof said ring and "having a plurality of peripherally spaced apart series of radially disposed perforations'therein, said ringhaving a series of peripherally spaced apart perforations, each perforation of which is in radial alignment with the perforations in one of the series of I perforations disposed in said disk.

14. In a toy unit, a ring-shaped element having a flange e'xtendingaxially therefrom and disposed substantially about its periphery,and a "plurality of curved plates disposed adjacent one another about said flange and extending axially therefrom, each of said plateshaving axially spaced apart and circumferentially elongated perforations in each side edge thereof, coinciding with corresponding perforations in the adjacent edge of the adjacent plates to receive fastening members' and to permit circumferential adjustment of one plate relatively to the other, and .adisk secured to said ring-shaped element with the peripheral edge of said disk disposed closely adjacent to the internal peripheral edge of said element.

15. A toy unit, composed of a plurality of toy'elements, one of said elements comprising a ring having a flange extending at an angle from and about the periphery thereof, and a disk disposed within and suhstantially filling the opening formed by the internal periphery of said ring, and a shaft receiving member secured to said disk substantially at the center thereof.

'In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day, of June, 1927.

ALFRED (3. GILBERT. 

